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Senior Member

If you're active on Head-Fi, I would very much welcome a blurb there as well. I can't say anything about my products there without paying $1k/month with a 12-month commitment (so $12k up front - their lowest pricing tier).
Tom

Member

I don’t often visit head-fi and I’ve not signed up with them so can’t help there sorry ☹.

TCA DAC-1, as it happens, I have just the right space on my desk
Even better would be the: “TCA DACS-1” dac+streamer with full Roon integration and the same footprint as the HPA-1. I'd probably have two of those.

If the BOM doesn’t make it too impractical I seriously I think it’s the way to go hence my interest in the Matrix devices.
I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking along these lines.

Member

For me anyway "just" the output device (Roon end point I think), as I run the core on my laptop and have the bridge software running on my Surface Go. USB hard drive on the laptop stores my flacs and I use Roon app on my phone to select what I want to listen to and where to output the audio.

Hopefully some more members can chip in with some other suggestions/recommendations as well.

New Member

Just met Tom at the Tampa show today, then found this thread. I have to say that first, the HPA-1 sounds fantastic, and Tom is as much a gentleman in person as he is here - both are highly recommended.

Are you making it to Tampa this weekend? The Florida Audio Expo is Friday-Sunday: https://floridaaudioexpo.com I'll be there with the HPA-1.

Member

I have only had a little bit of listening time but, the TCA Amp definitely shows it's has a very low noise floor at low gain. It is a very nice pairing with the Chord Qutest and the RAD-0 headphones. The combo has solid clarity and punches, good speed. Also, pair well Hifiman Ananda.

Most importantly, I need to bring out the headphone that kicked off this journey Dan Clark Audio Aeon Flow Open, which underpowered are muddy, lacks detail, and dynamics. This amp brings them back to life, dynamics, detail, and intimacy are all back

Keb Mo "The Itch"

Fleetwood Mac "Dreams Take 2"

John Lee Hooker It Serves You Right to Suffer, Serves You Right to be Alone ( the Avener Rework)

Member

Beyerdynamic DT-880 600 Ohm - High Impedance kid - did not have an issue driving them with the low gain setting, put in high gain and around 1 pm bass kicks strong in Trentemoller “Cameleon,” they do not have rumble down my neck of HD-6XX or Focal Elex

Dan Clark Audio Aeon Flow Open 13 Ohm - The current monsters are tamed, I just started drifting off listening to the music, good detail, speed. And a lot more. This rig does well with darker headphones. Knocking on Heavens Door by Bob Dylan is like have first or second-row seats.

The Reference

HD-6XX With Trentemoller “Cameleon” engage high gain volume pot at noon bass extends to the top of my shoulder, Low gain is about 4 o’clock for the same feel. This combo really brings out the best of this headphone

The pack hunters

Focal Elex - sound great on this amp in low gain way too many songs. Cameleon, it starts rumbling hard little past 2 o’clock in low gain, feel at the bottom of the neck. Symbols are fast and tight

HIfiman Ananda a lot of great music that plays well with this, I did find a few songs where treble would poke out

The current King of the Pack

Rosson Audio RAD-0
Keb’-Mo’. “Suitcase” is probably one of the best showcases for the headphone on this combo. Transparent to what as recorded
Ben Howard " Old Pine" highly articulate acoustic guitars

Senior Member

Yesterday I had a chance to try the HPA-1 with @tomchr at the Florida Audio Expo. While I'm not a headphone guy, the sounds was great with no downfalls that I heard or the measurements suggest. For $899, it's a no brainer if cans are your thing. The unit is clean, and there was a clear cover on one HPA-1 at the station and the board is just spotless. Well done TCA!

I hardly ever measure current, actually. I already have two 6.5 digit bench top multimeters (HP/Agilent/Keysight/Whatever Name This Week 34401A), a 5.5-digit meter (HP 3478A), a Keithley 236 source meter, and some handheld meters (Fluke 73 and a capacitance meter), so I'm note sure why I would need such a thing. Honestly, I only trust the pros when it comes to measurement gear. That's not to say that a new player couldn't emerge, but I highly doubt the claims of 10 pA resolution - especially on banana plugs. The pros use triaxial connections and driven shields to prevent leakage currents from corrupting the measurement.

If you're looking for an inexpensive meter of good quality, it's very hard to go wrong with the Fluke 70 and 80 series. Buy one that comes with a calibration certificate (and recent calibration). Typically they're less than $100 calibrated. Used-Line and the various test equipment dealers are good sources. The newer Fluke meters are nice as well.
For greater precision, the HP/Agilent/Keysight/etc. 34401A and 34410A are excellent. Again: Buy calibrated.

Member

I already have a Fluke Multimeter at home. I use Rohde & Schwarz Scopes at work, just did not want to buy one for home. When I find a tool like this they are built out of necessity, I never rule them out. I have seen too many corporate restructuring and divestitures screw things up. An example is of great tool is the Peak Atlas ESR70.

Member

One thing I would look at the spec on the new RME ADI-2 DAC ( with the AKM4493 DAC) they updated the headphone amp, also SPL Phonitor x/xe, the spec they show and shore up what you present. I know you're already looking at the Monoprice and Drop THX amp based on the specifications layout.

Active Member

@tomchr just wondering but where we supposed get a tracking number for international shipment, I just get the message: We’ve accepted your order, and we’re getting it ready. Come back to this page for updates on your shipment status.

Member

If you're in the US, for Candian Mail Small Packet airmail there is no tracking number, it 5-8 business days from the ship date to receive the package. I just received mine in Austin on Friday. So latest it should be Weds, Thursday this week.